Method and device for image and video transmission over low-bandwidth and high-latency transmission channels

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for transmission of a images and/or video over bandwidth limited transmission channels having varying available bandwidth, which method comprises the use of a classification algorithm for decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type; detecting the image type of each of those areas separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio. The classification algorithm prioritizes each of the areas, the classification algorithm increasing the compression ratio of the image and/or video encoding algorithm dedicated to spatial areas having lower priority in case of decreasing bandwidth.

1 . A method for transmission of images and/or video over bandwidth limited transmission channels having varying available bandwidth between a server and multiple devices, the method comprising the use of a classification algorithm for each of the images and/or video to be provided to a device, for: 
 decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type;    detecting the image type of each of those areas    separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio;    wherein each of said devices are prioritized, said classification algorithm increasing the compression ratio of the image and/or video encoding algorithms dedicated to a device having lower priority in case of decreasing bandwidth.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said prioritizing of the devices is done based on the applications accessed through each of said devices.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said prioritizing of the devices is done based on the identity of users using said devices.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said method includes a step of user log-on to one of said devices.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said prioritizing of the devices is done based on location of said devices.  
   
   
       6 . A method for securing transmission of data from a server to a portable imaging device, the method comprising: 
 determining the exact position of the portable imaging device with respect to an authorised area,    based on the determined exact position of the portable imaging device, determining whether the portable device is authorized to receive specific data over a predetermined transmission channel,    transmitting, from the server to the portable imaging device, the specific data requested if authorisation is granted, the portable imaging device having a display area, the method furthermore being adapted for removing at least from the display area at least confidential data when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area.    
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , the method furthermore being adapted for showing at least on the display area at least confidential data when the portable imaging device enters the authorised area.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 6 , the method furthermore being adapted for removing at least confidential data from volatile and/or non-volatile memory elements in the portable imaging device when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 6 , the method furthermore comprising encrypting confidential data when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , the method furthermore comprising decrypting confidential data when the portable imaging device enters the authorised area.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 6 , the method furthermore comprising using a different transmission channel for transmitting the requested data, the transmission channel used depending on the determined exact position of the portable imaging device.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , the portable imaging device determining which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , the server determining which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data.  
   
   
       14 . A method for reducing latency in a client-server computer system, the server being adapted for generating data at least dependent on one or more parameter values, the method comprising: 
 predicting possible reachable future parameter values, predicting possible future parameter values being performed by the client, after which these predicted parameter values are sent to the server;    generating data corresponding to the predicted parameter values, and sending this data to the client, and    the client caching this generated data corresponding to parameter values for future use.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the client uses the cached data when a corresponding parameter value is set.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the client uses the cached data when a parameter value is set which falls within a predetermined range around the parameter valued for which the cached data had been generated.  
   
   
       17 . A method for transmission of images and/or video over bandwidth limited transmission channels having varying available bandwidth, the method comprising the use of a classification algorithm for 
 decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type;    detecting the image type of each of those areas    separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio;    wherein said classification algorithm prioritizes each of said areas, said classification algorithm increasing the compression ratio of the image and/or video encoding algorithm dedicated to spatial areas having lower priority in case of decreasing bandwidth.    
   
   
       18 . A method for transmission of images and/or video over a transmission channel from a server to a client, the method comprising the steps of 
 decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type;    detecting the image type of each of those areas;    separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm using a code for encoding said images and/or video of said area;    wherein said client is a reconfigurable device, said method further comprising the step of reconfiguring said reconfigurable device for decoding said images and/or video of said areas.    
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of 
 adaptation of said encoding algorithms used for the encoding, the adaptation being based on current or predicted transmission channel properties;    reconfiguring said reconfigurable device for decoding said images and/or video of said areas, based on the adapted image and/or video encoding algorithms.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein all used image and/or video encoding algorithms are available at said reconfigurable device.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein only part of said image and/or video encoding algorithms are available at said reconfigurable device, said method further comprising the step of downloading image and/or video encoding algorithms not being available at said reconfigurable device.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 21 , wherein downloaded image and/or video encoding algorithms are saved at said reconfigurable device.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 21 , wherein said image and/or video encoding algorithms to be downloaded are sent over a separate connection between server and reconfigurable device.  
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein said reconfiguring is a partial reconfiguring of said reconfigurable device.  
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein said reconfiguring is done from a server.  
   
   
       26 . A method for transmission of images and/or video over bandwidth limited transmission channels having varying available bandwidth, the method comprising the use of a classification algorithm for 
 decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type;    detecting the image type of each of those areas    separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio;    said method further comprising the steps of    encoding each of said areas by an image and/or video encoding algorithm;    transmitting said encoded images and/or video;    decoding each of said areas by an image and/or video encoding algorithm;    wherein prior to encoding at least one of said area being provided with padding pixels, said padding pixels being replaced by part of one of the other areas during decoding.    
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 26 , wherein said padding pixels represent zones where at least two areas overlap.  
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.  
   
   
       29 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.  
   
   
       30 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.  
   
   
       31 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.  
   
   
       32 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.  
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 26 , wherein said method is used in a hospital environment.